In this enlightening episode, author and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly joins us to explore her transformative book, The Gift of Teenagers. Drawing from her personal journey and professional experience, Rachel offers heartfelt stories and practical insights into the challenges and joys of parenting teens.

From navigating the digital age to understanding attachment styles, Rachel helps us reframe adolescence as a time of growth—not just for teenagers, but for parents too. I’ve realised that by keeping calm and creating my own happiness, I can have a profound effect on my children. It’s not always easy, but it’s powerful.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Digital Age – How technology is reshaping parenting and the challenges it presents

• Attachment Styles – Why understanding your own attachment style can transform how you connect with your teen

• Boundaries vs. Friendship – Striking the right balance between being your teen’s parent and their friend

• Emotional Regulation – Tools for managing your emotions and modeling healthy behavior

• Exam Pressure – Supporting teens through academic stress and encouraging a growth mindset

• Co-Dependency – Recognizing and shifting patterns that inhibit your teen’s independence

• Building Strong Connections – How rituals and open communication strengthen the parent-child bond

Learn more about Rachel Kelly and her work: https://www.rachel-kelly.net

Rachel is an ambassador for mental health charities including SANE and Rethink Mental Illness, and the founder of wellbeing workshops rooted in practical psychology and the healing power of words. Her work has appeared in The Times, The Guardian, and Psychologies, and she regularly appears on radio and TV discussing emotional health and parenting.

Best known for her bestselling memoir, Black Rainbow, which chronicles her journey through depression and recovery, Rachel has become a powerful voice in the conversation around emotional well-being, mental health, and resilience.

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